Weekly Clean Energy Roundup: November 18, 2009

United States and China to Cooperate on Clean Energy

President Obama and China's President Hu Jintao announced on November 17 a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the US and China on renewable energy. The presidents began by establishing a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center to facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by scientists from both countries. The center will be supported by $150 million in public and private funds over the next five years, split evenly between the partners. Initial research priorities will be building energy efficiency, clean vehicles, and carbon capture and storage.

Also, building on the first-ever U.S.-China Electric Vehicle Forum in September 2009, the two leaders unveiled a U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative, which will include developing joint standards, building demonstration projects in more than a dozen cities, creating technical roadmaps, and carrying out public education projects. Both nations said they share an interest in accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles to reduce oil dependence, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and promote economic growth.

The countries will also leverage private sector resources to develop clean energy projects in China through the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program. More than 22 companies are founding members of the program, which will include collaborative projects involving renewable energy, smart grids, clean transportation, green buildings, combined heat and power, energy efficiency, and clean coal.

As part of their joint efforts, the two powers will hold an ongoing series of forums. For example, a U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum will be held annually, rotating between the two countries. This will be part of the new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan, under which China and the US will work together and with the private sector to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances.

Similarly, an annual rotating forum will be held as part of the new U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership. The two countries will develop roadmaps for widespread renewable energy deployment in both countries and encourage state-to-state and region-to-region partnerships to share experiences and best practices. A new Advanced Grid Working Group will bring together U.S. and Chinese policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and civil society to develop strategies for grid modernization in both countries.

See the DOE press release and the DOE fact sheets on the Clean Energy Research Center (PDF 66 KB), Electric Vehicles Initiative (PDF 91 KB), Energy Efficiency Plan (PDF 72 KB), and Renewable Energy Partnership (PDF 72 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Ex-Im Bank to Boost Renewable Exports with $250 Million in Financing

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has launched a $250 million facility to finance exports of renewable energy products, including solar, wind, and geothermal energy technologies. The announcement is part of its strategy as the first Export Credit Agency to adopt a comprehensive Carbon Policy. The financing will support U.S. exports of clean energy technologies to help other nations address climate change concerns.

To further boost renewable energy exports, the Ex-Im Bank will consider introducing a range of incentives and other measures to facilitate purchase of U.S. renewable energy exports by foreign buyers. The bank will also make more energy efficiency products eligible for its Environmental Exports Program, and will actively market and promote energy efficiency exports. At the same time, the bank will encourage export credit agencies, multilateral development banks, and other lending institutions to adopt similar policies to promote clean energy exports. See the Ex-Im press release and Carbon Policy.